Andy Murray set to cash in on lucrative new Asian-based tennis circuit next year

Murray's mint: Andy looks set to cash in on the new IPTL (Image: Getty)

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Andy Murray will “go where the money is” when he joins a new Asian-based tennis circuit next year.

The Scot’s new commercial guru Mahesh Bhupathi is the mastermind behind the new IPL-style tournament to be played in the off-season.

Like the cricket version, the International Premier Tennis League will have franchises in six cities and sell the stars at an auction in January.

And the Olympic and US Open champion is slated to be one of the leading draws.

Bhupathi, the Indian doubles star, who has won 12 Grand Slam titles , said: “Andy is a one-Slam holder and he has the potential to win a lot more. Tennis players as a whole are stars but in Asia they are superstars. When they play in Beijing or Shanghai or Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, there is a huge amount of adulation for them. And Andy, Novak, Rafa, Roger - even Tsonga, Berdych - are big stars there.

“Andy would definitely be recognised in the street in India. Tennis is the second most popular sport after cricket. Emerging markets like Brazil have promoted lots of tennis. You have to go where the money is.”

With details still be finalised, teams will have between six and 10 players - including top women stars and veterans - with total salaries for each franchise costing between US$4m- S10m. (£2.5m-£6.3m).

But playing the new format will also increase Murray’s exposure to booming Asian markets and sponsors.

The British No 1 has won US$27.3m (£17.4m) on court during his career - a sum roughly matched by his off-court earnings. Deals with adidas, Rado, Head and Royal Bank of Scotland saw him bank an estimated £8-10m last year including bonuses.

And with Bhupathi’s Globosports company now in charge of drumming up new business in Asia, Murray’s mint is set to increase further.

“It is tough to put a number to it,” said the 39-year-old, who will work alongside Simon Fuller’s XIX management company.

“He is the biggest individual sports star you guys have here in Britain.

(Image: Getty Images)

“Andy won the gold medal last year and his popularity has sky-rocketed. Olympic gold, US Open - this is the time for him. The next few years - and he works as hard as I have seen anyone work - we are expecting a lot of things from him in the future.

“The UK is a big market and Andy is a popular athlete so we will do our best to do right by him when it comes to promotional endorsements.

“Deals take time to create and execute. There are a few discussions so hopefully we will be able to close them soon. Let’s wait to see how Wimbledon goes. Expect things later in the year.”

Bhupathi said IPTL fixtures would consist of five one-set matches lasting a duration of three hours in total. The ambitious project has attracted criticism for adding new events straight after the ATP had agreed a longer winter break to allow players more rest.

But Bhupathi said: “There has been a lot of excitement. It is innovative, it is new. I think the whole industry is looking forward to it.”

The Indian to retire at the end of the season concentrate on his business empire which has seen him dubbed the Donald Trump of Tennis.